Challenges to national defence in contemporary geopolitical situation

The article analyzes new phenomena that in military tactics. The first part identifies new phenomena that have emerged in recent years. These phenomena are categorized according to their impact at the tactical level and their potential for utilization in the near future. The most important of these, with the greatest potential for future tactical use, are discussed in the second chapter. As a result, options for future utilization, protective measures, and possible procedural solutions are proposed, which could give us the advantage in battle. The article relates to the tactical level of command and control. The qualitative analytical methods for this character of an article are crucial. The methodical procedure starts with analysis of literature and comparative analysis and selection according to the most important phenomena, and what is the “theory of rational option," which is related to impact at the tactical level of command and control (C2), especially tactical tasks and missions. Some of the topics are discussed with experts from “Operation Community." The authors sort the phenomena using “warfighting function” and discuss them. All the findings can be in mutual relation, so the method of triangulation is also used.

The paper examines the role of Polish artillery in a multi-domain battlefield. It uses literature and doctrinal analysis to assess how integration across land, air, sea, space, cyber, and cognitive domains affects artillery effectiveness. Findings show that artillery is increasingly dependent on interoperability, information flow, and systemic resilience. The study highlights new threats and opportunities, including A2/AD development. It concludes that multi-domain integration, rather than firepower alone, determines future combat effectiveness.

The transition toward sustainable energy solutions has become a strategic priority for modern defence organizations. This study evaluates the impact of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and its blends on the performance and emissions of a compression ignition engine (OM 366 LA II), which represents the mid-range logistics vehicles deployed by the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Numerical simulations were performed using the Diesel-RK software and validated against engine manufacturer performance data, achieving a mean absolute torque difference of 0.64%. The results indicate that increasing the HVO fraction reduces brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions.

This study examines the formation of the professional identity of future officers in the context of contemporary defense challenges, with a focus on pedagogical competence. A quantitative study was conducted using a questionnaire developed by the author. Cadets rated pedagogical competence as no less important than tactical and technical competence; however, they indicated that psychological competence is not sufficiently developed. The study’s findings contribute to research on officers' professional identity by emphasising the educational aspect of military professionalism. Pedagogical, leadership, and psychological competencies should be systematically integrated into officer training programs to strengthen professional identity. In this article, pedagogical competence is defined as an essential element of the professional identity of future officers, helping them respond to contemporary defense challenges.

In recent decades, the importance of supply chain management has increased due to the frequency and severity of disruptions. The issue of supply chain resilience is widely discussed in the scientific literature. It should be noted that most studies focus on the functioning of commercial supply chains. Given the lack of a systematic approach to the specific threats and measures to ensure the resilience of military supply chains within the context of the Lithuanian Armed Forces (LAF), the objective of this article is to present the main findings of the research conducted to identify threats that are crucial for the supply chains important to the LAF and to outline measures that are taken to cope with the identified external threats.

Remote warfare is a phenomenon that has been significantly manifested over the course of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In this new type of modern warfare, military remote systems, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), are becoming increasingly relevant. One of the key prerequisites for the flawless use of remote systems is trust in them. Despite the rapid development of such systems, there is still a lack of empirical research examining operators' trust in these systems, resulting in limited evidence on this phenomenon. This article presents the key findings of the study aiming at identifying the main factors that shape soldiers’ trust in UAV systems in the Lithuanian Armed Forces (LAF).